Page 112 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“What do we do now?” She’d asked the same question just one day before. Of course, she wouldn’t have an answer to it.

But she pulled back from him, pressed her warm, soft hands to his face, and met his eyes with determination. Her gaze burrowed deep into his soul. “We live, Govek.”

He exhaled and the tension in his chest eased.

“We live the best life we possibly can. We do exactly what we want, on our own terms, and build up our own fortunes. We relish in bliss despite everything we had to go through, and the horrors others forced on us. We prevail through it. We thrive.”

His eyes were burning and blurry, but he couldn’t blink to clear them. He was too fixated on this woman. This little human who had so much strength and love and built so much joy inside him.

“We’ll thrive together, Govek. Just like you promised to be by my side, I vow the same to you.” Her hands stroked his cheeks. “We’ll laugh in the faces of those who thought they’d broken us. We’ll build our joy so high they can’t even dream of cutting us down. So far above that their evil words and deeds won’t reach.”

His gut twisted, bile rose in his throat and his mind flooded with the gruesome images of Clairton. “What if Karthoc was wrong?” Miranda’s brow furrowed. “He said I wouldn’t have killed children, but I don’t know, Miranda. My mind was gone. I do not even remember killing the men. I just slashed and fought until I eventually came out of my magic-laced rage to discover that I was surrounded by carnage. What if... what if I had?—”

“Stop. You can’t blame yourself for things you never did. That’s exactly what your father wants. And it isn’t thriving.”

He shivered and closed his eyes.

“I’ll help you. I’ll be right beside you every step of the way. And you’ll be beside me. Helping me. We’ll do it together. Build ourselves back up together. Just like we both promised.”

“Together.” The word soared out of him.

“Every time you think you’re unworthy, I’ll remind you of what I see when I look at you,” Miranda said, and he opened his eyes. Her expression was so soft, her eyes sparkling, her warmth soaking into him. She stroked her fingertips along his temples, down over his chin. Her touch grounded him.

“And what I see is someone strong, supportive, and loving. I see the male who carried me through my worst panic, held me when I had nightmares, saved me from a boar and a wildcat and so many other horrors. You have laughed with me, eaten with me, and built your life around mine so effortlessly I wonder if it’s real.”

“It was effortless,” Govek agreed, his throat choked and his voice ragged. He could hardly think past the bloom of warmth in his chest. “You slid into my life and routines so easily I cannot fathom how you were not there already. I cannot live without... Miranda, I...”

“I love you too, Govek.” Her eyes flooded and so did his. He couldn’t breathe, he was so full. “I love you, and I’m here with you. And we will walk this path together. Because it’s the same path, Govek. Our lives are entwined, forever.”

“Be my mate.” He choked on the words. He wished he could be more eloquent, more clear. He wished he could speak words that would make her feel the way hers made him feel. But he couldn’t.

And he didn’t need to. Because her face lit with joy and tears. Her arms tightened around him and all the breath left him with her exuberant response. “Yes. Yes, I’ll be your mate. I always was.”

He crushed his lips to hers and drank her up. She brought her hands up around his head, into his hair, holding him tight. His joy was finally something tangible. It built in his chest and rolled through his muscles.

She was his. His mate. His love.

Now and forever.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

MIRANDA

Govek swung Miranda around and plopped her down on top of the desk, not once breaking the kiss.

Her head spun, and her thoughts whirled. The aching need that swelled in her gut was drowned out by the taste of him, the feel of his hot skin on hers.

She was going to be his forever. Forever.

It didn’t seem long enough to her. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close, as he kissed a trail down her cheek, to her neck. Licked her frantic pulse. She shivered, writhed. Her thighs parted.

He gripped her dress and yanked it over her head, tossing it onto the floor. She wanted Govek next to her skin. She helped him where she could.

His head was back at her neck, breath teasing her ear. Electric skitters raced down her spine as he exhaled heavily.

She felt the sting of teeth as he nipped the bandage over her neck and shoulder. He pulled it free.

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